Women Learn 'Xs' And 'Os' At Team-Run Clinic

STORRS – Whatever the drill, whatever the meeting room, Charlotte Etier came away with a little more knowledge than she had before.

"I learned Cat, Dog, Will and Mike," said Etier, one of 200 boisterous and enthusiastic participants at the Women's Football 101 Clinic led by UConn football coach Bob Diaco, his staff and players at the Burton Family Football Complex on campus Wednesday night.

Etier planned on peppering her husband, Adam, a UConn alum, die-hard fan and season ticket holder, with a wealth of information about the linebacker names in UConn's defense and much more. The event involved on-field instruction about the game and learning about offense and defense during film sessions in the meeting rooms.

"I'm very excited to be more knowledgeable," said Etier, of Newington, who got into the obstacle course, too — one of four on field stations — and plowed through the blocking pad defensive line coach Kevin Wolthausen was holding.

"Nice!" she said.

It was that kind of night: fun for everyone. That was the plan, too, along with some instruction. The overwhelming thought was the clinic was a good idea, and all proceeds from the event went to UConn Health Center.

Diaco was at Central Michigan with current Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly when he got started with it.

"He might have been getting started at Grand Valley, but really it's a lot of programs around the country, but I think Coach Kelly was one of the pioneers," Diaco said.

While some may see a women-only clinic as sexist, that wasn't the sentiments of those at the event.

"No, not at all," said Sharon Walsh, whose son Matt is a fullback on the team. "Not at all."

Participation in youth football around the country is on the decline and one of the big reasons is injuries — serious ones.

"We want to get to these moms and aunts and neighbors and grandmothers and guardians and show them how safe we teach football — striking angles, blocking, tackling," Diaco said. "So it's going to be some real football teaching — that's the objective."

One would think Shannon Russell, the mother of UConn quarterback and state high school passing record holder Casey Cochran, would have all of this stuff down pat.

"There's a lot of stuff I don't know," Russell said. "You know, when you break it down to Xs and Os, it's a whole new world for me. I've been around it a long time, but I still learn something all the time."

In addition to Walsh and Russell, other players' mothers participated, including defensive back Ellis Marder's mother, Crisa, and wide receiver Kamal Abrams' mother, Karla. A few UConn dignitaries were also in the house including UConn President Susan Herbst and her chief of staff, Rachel Rubin, Chrislan Manuel, wife of the UConn athletic director, and former UConn women's basketball player Meghan Culmo.

"I did grow up with three brothers, and I was a tomboy, so I loved football," Culmo said. "I love this idea. I think it's great. I came out with my girls, and we're having a blast."

Besides the obstacle course, on-field stations included learning the proper technique and steps to take in kicking a field goal — Cara Montano and Felicia McGarry had no problem connecting from 15 yards out — where to have your fingers in trying to throw a spiral, how your hands should be positioned for a pass high or low and blocking.

"I think it was fun," Montano said. "It was good to get out, and I support the football team so this was good. It was exciting."

That was also part of the plan: picking up the interest level and connecting more with the program.

"It's just another opportunity to expose UConn Huskies football to a whole other group, and the give back is, have you ever been in a football meeting?" Diaco said. "So here's a great opportunity to sit in football meetings and get on-field coaching like we do with our players."

Defensive coordinator Anthony "Dex" Poindexter and offensive coordinator Mike Cummings were really good during the film sessions, Etier said. She was proud of her knowledge of the linebacker positions coming out of the room.

In the offensive meeting room, Shannon Russell asked Cummings, "What percentage are the quarterbacks allowed to check out [of the play that's been called initially]?" showing she actually has keen knowledge about her son's job on the field.

Poindexter and Cummings quizzed the participants in the final minutes of their sessions, asking them to name a position in at least one group on the field. Participants received a UConn hat for their correct answers.